What if we could receive real-time feedback on our social interactions? Would unbiased third party monitors be better suited to interpret situations and make decisions for the parties involved? How might augmenting our experience help us become more aware in our relationships, shift us out of normal patterns, and open us to unexpected possibilities? I am developing a system like this for myself using Amazon Mechanical Turk. During a series of dates with new people I meet on the internet, I will stream the interaction to the web using an iPhone app. Turk workers will be paid to watch the stream, interpret what is happening, and offer feedback as to what I should do or say next. This feedback will be communicated to me via text message.

january 18, 5:45pm, what is me?

MTurk options:

MTurk payment: $0.20
Number responses: 23
Avg time/task: 3:02

Avg MTurk interaction rating: 2.8

I set up the interface tonight to allow the workers to suggest and vote on lines for me to say, rather than having them all come through causing me to have to spew constant nonsense. I’m interested in the possibility for the workers to work together and influence each other. Previously, I could recite the lines as they came in at rapid random pace, feeling like I was just some character detached from the reality of the situation. As the lines came less frequently, I am able to work them more naturally into the conversation and use them as a guide, pushing us in unexpected directions. I no longer feel like just a character or an avatar; the distinction before between performance and reality gets blurrier for me. One of the main goals of this project is to try to create some sort of freedom from myself. As directions come to say things I wouldn’t normally, I’m suddenly made aware of how many limitations I normally have. I realize that I hold onto this self concept and consider certain actions outside the set of things I do. As I submit to the directions, it feels at first completely uncomfortable. Somewhere halfway through the date though, I realize I really can break out of myself a bit. The realization is overwhelmingly powerful.

time

how does she appear to be feeling?

how does he appear to be feeling?

rating

what do you want the woman to say?

17:45

The woman seems very talkative in this video, I cannot really understand what they are discussing but she appears to be doing most of the talking. She comes across as very confident.

The man appears to be a little nervous and antsy.

2

Why are you so nervous?

17:47

The women feels awkward annoyed at the man..

The man is extremely nervous and thinking about the awkwardness of this situation.

1

What do you like to do?

17:52

The woman seems to think that the story is strange. She is entertained and a little uncomfortable.

The man seems awkward and shy.

2

What is on your bucket list?

17:52

good

nice

4

I think you’re cute.

17:54

good

nice

3

Don’t you have any life plan besides wandering?

17:55

nice

good

2

you worry me

18:01

She seems to be interested in what the guy in front of her is saying and seems to be able to have the conversation with him freely.

He seems to very intent on her and talking with her not to her.

4

So what are your hobbies?

18:03

She’s skeptical about online dating but is starting to enjoy his company.

He seems interested in what she has to say and is engaging by asking questions

3

I like your leather jacket

18:15

The woman seems a bit uninterested in what the man is saying.

The man seems determined to make his point about himself.

3

So tell me about your family.

18:19

She appears to be very bored.

He seems to be very relaxed.

2

Hows the bread?

18:30

The womem feels very miserable and sad.

The man is also feeling very miserable

3

you should be a little more optimistic in her ideas.

18:42

the woman thinking is very normal.anytime think what about this and research the most of the things.very deep thinking and very brilliant woman.

the man thinking what about in this hand.research something in this hand.

5

fantastic!

18:45

an artist and programmer.the woman interested in ways that technology can be used to augment, subvert, alter, mediate, and ultimately deepen social interaction.

the man research what in this hand research something.

4

you are a good person

18:50

i like it

good quality

4

wow very nice

18:59

The woman appears is very pretty

The woman feel is very good

2

you have very good character

19:02

its great

its funny

3

very good

19:05

nothing to say

nothing to say

2

I have nothing to say

19:22

The picture is completely blurry. I hear the woman talking to the man but I cannot make out their conversation.

The picture is completely blurry. The man is talking to the woman about something I cannot make out.